Music

Music  

Music is an important and exciting part of life at Spa Bermondsey. It allows students to develop the skills required to 

• Listen 

• Sing 

• Perform 

• Compose 

• Appreciate music from many different cultures and historical periods. 

Students learn vital social and communication skills through ensemble practise and develop confidence by being given regular solo performance opportunities in front of their peers and our school community. Music allows our students to express themselves creatively by learning fundamental music skills. They do this through: 

• playing instruments 

• composing and reading music 

• learning how to use computer-based music software 

• playing as part of an ensemble  

These skills allow the students at Spa to learn and achieve at every level, with regular opportunities to share their musical knowledge and talents with peers and at times parents. Students are taught to reflect on their own and others’ work and how to provide constructive feedback, and how to build on this. Music is taught through weekly lessons, clubs and accredited courses. Throughout the year the Spa School music curriculum provides many performance and enrichment opportunities including the annual Variety Show, The Globe Theatre’s A Concert for Winter and Arts Week.  

Each key stage learns about the concepts of music and are introduced to new and exciting ways that they work together in order to create different types of music. Key Stage 3 students learn the importance of sound and silence. Students are introduced to rhythm and pitch on different instruments. The concept of following a leader is introduced though a range of music games and pupils understand that it is important to take turns and work as a team. Students start to learn the basics of graphic notation, clapping rhythms and simple drumming patterns. 

Key Stage 4 students start to learn how the concepts of music work together. Students begin to work more independently to create compositions by applying the concepts of music with guidance. Students in this key stage are taught to read and write music and to use computer-based music software. Pupils’ compare music from the 1800s to the 2000s and learn how to use technical language to discuss similarities and differences. 

Key Stage 5 students are able to select music as part an Options course. In the past, students have had the opportunity to select from Solo Music Performance, Ensemble Music Performance, Music Composition and Music Appreciation. 

Students in classes that do not take Options continue to have weekly music lessons which are based around enhancing performance, aural recognition and composition skills through topic-based learning.